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The Miami Heat are still in the process of shaping their final roster following the blockbuster acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. There is chatter that the team might leave the 15th roster slot vacant, holding out hope for a buyout involving Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson.
In the meantime, the Heat made a notable addition through the draft, selecting Ryan Conwell, a shooting specialist out of Louisville, in the second round. The immediate question is whether Conwell can carve out rotation minutes in his rookie season on a squad brimming with established NBA talent.
Roster Breakdown
The Heat's roster includes bigs like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Jovic; wings such as Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, and Myron Gardner; and guards Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith, Pelle Larsson, and Ryan Conwell. Two-way players Tre Donaldson and Vlad Goldin round out the list. A glance at this collection of talent makes it evident that Conwell faces a steep challenge to secure playing time on a contender.
While Conwell's specialty is shooting, the Heat's wing and guard corps already possess ample shooting ability, experience, and trust from head coach Erik Spoelstra. Four returning or new players—Wiggins, Gardner, Hardaway Jr., and Portis—shot over 40% from three-point range last season. Davion Mitchell (39.5%) and Fontecchio (37.5%) were close behind, giving the team six reliable long-range threats. In a typical nine- or ten-man rotation, minutes are scarce.
Path to Playing Time
However, there is a silver lining for Conwell: established veterans often need rest during the grueling 82-game season. The coaching staff will likely rely on role players to absorb minutes and keep the core fresh. Conwell's Summer League performance was underwhelming from beyond the arc, hitting just 25% of his threes, but he displayed glimpses of why Miami selected him. He was asked to handle more playmaking duties than he did in college, leading to mixed results.
His most promising asset was his on-ball defense. Conwell showcased excellent pressure, using his chest to cut off drives rather than reaching, a common flaw among young players. With a 6'7" wingspan and a physical style, he averaged six fouls per game in Summer League (where 10 are allowed), but that aggressiveness bodes well for his potential to earn court time.
Defense could get him on the floor, and shooting could keep him there. During the regular season, he could complement stars like Giannis and Bam, providing short stints of energy and spacing. If he embraces his role, plays stout defense, and proves reliable with limited opportunities, Conwell might just break into the rotation permanently. The journey begins at training camp.